Question about Lenses and Photographers who charge for services

[Broncobear]

If you want to start selling your services, does it matter if you have sigma lenses as opposed to the top L lenses?

Should a person offer a lower rate?

[mikesd]

Very easy answer, no it does not matter. Although it requires a certain level of equipment to become a professional, talent is much more important!

[jra]

If you can produce a product that your clients are happy with and willing to pay for, it doesn't matter what lens you use. There are many pros out there that shoot with lenses other than L glass.

[Dorman]

I think all that matters is that you have equipment (and talent) of a caliber that can produce products that you and your customers are happy with. Most customers won't know brand names from a hole in the ground and won't be paying attention to what name is on your lens. If you're concerned then take black electrical tape and cover over the brand names of all your equipment like PJ's used to do. :)

[Broncobear]

I was just asking cause I'm thinking of a possible future career change or at least a new additional part time side thing to do as I develop my skills...and as I now invest in lenses, I'm investing into the sigma lenses so far ..i'm very happy with what I'm seeinf but I don't want to look back in 1 year or 2 and realize I made a mistake with investing in sigma as opposed to the L lenses

[JNunn]

I was just asking cause I'm thinking of a possible future career change or at least a new additional part time side thing to do as I develop my skills...and as I now invest in lenses, I'm investing into the sigma lenses so far ..i'm very happy with what I'm seeinf but I don't want to look back in 1 year or 2 and realize I made a mistake with investing in sigma as opposed to the L lenses

I would think that your images will determine your level of satisfaction with the equipment you buy. I met a guy who makes his living shooting with a prosumer sony P&S. He has literally hundreds of thousand of images, has published 10 calendars and doesn't use a DSLR! He has an amazing, but soon-to-be-obsolete Mamiya 6x7 setup, but hardly uses it anymore, opting instead to use his digital stuff.

[Mr. Clean]

5% - Equipment
95% - Exposure, story, composition

:D

[runninmann]

5% - Equipment
95% - Exposure, story, composition

:DI find that I am becoming moderately adept at producing reasonably sharp, fairly well-exposed, very boring images:) .

[blonde]

chose whatever lens works for you and fit your budget. your client will have no idea what gear you used for the shot so none of this matters. you can shoot a wedding with a $2 kodak disposable and as long as the bride and groom likes the images, they will pay you and refer you to other people.

[Longwatcher]

The only reason to buy expensive lenses is either because you have too much money or you need the better lens to do something you can't do with a cheaper one.

Especially from a business perspective. If a less costly alternative meets your needs (which also means your customer's needs) then why spend the extra money.
I have a lot of L class glass because I felt I needed the F2.8 or F1.2 capabilties and I did not trust Sigma enough at the time (or they did not have what I needed).
If I did not already have the glass I have I would be considering some Sigma lenses (and still do for some of my wish list)

[picturecrazy]

It doesn't matter what you use as long as your work is pleasing your customers. The only people that might sneer at a lack of L lenses are other SNOBBY gearhead photographers.
Tell them to shove it.